Eastern Guilford reflects on postseason surge

Thursday

May 23, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 23, 2013 at 12:30 AM

Conor O'Neill / Times-News

The Eastern Guilford baseball team went through a season-long process of maturation, coach Jay White said.

That journey included a 1-5 start, a six-game winning streak and reaching the Mid-State 3-A Conference Tournament final before coming to a dramatic conclusion with Tuesday night’s 7-5 loss to Orange in the fourth round of the Class 3-A state playoffs.

“Once things got rolling and we got some confidence and guys started believing in themselves and continued to come to work every day, it got really fun really quick,” White said.

When White and the team’s assistant coaches addressed the team at Orange after the game, there were few dry eyes in the huddle of about 25.

Among other topics, White had the chance to point out what the team had to build on after winning five conference games combined in the two seasons before winning six games and finishing fourth this past season.

“(Wednesday) at school, there was still some disappointment there, but it was a lot of reflection of the good things and I think everybody is excited because we are so young. It’s kind of bittersweet,” White said. “You’re excited for the future, but getting back to that spot is never guaranteed.”

The Wildcats were boosted by the arrival of three brothers — junior Caleb Robinson and freshmen Andrew Robinson and Luke Robinson — in replacing a large graduating class from the 2012 season. The trio transferred from Shining Light Academy in Greensboro and had lived in the Eastern Guilford district.

The brothers regularly occupied the Nos. 2-3-4 spots of the Wildcats’ lineup. Luke Robinson was the team’s catcher, with Andrew Robinson and Caleb Robinson getting the starting nods to start playoff games on the mound.

“I heard good things with them coming in. We knew they were good players in the area but we really didn’t follow them much,” White said. “They showed up in August and they’ve been a big part of our program.”

Their impact was also noticed by senior center fielder Ryan Hackett.

“Without these three guys transferring in, Marque (Johnson) being eligible, we would not be in this point right now,” Hackett said. “I can’t thank them enough for transferring in.”

On the field Tuesday night, Andrew Robinson sounded eager to begin working immediately on proving that this postseason run won’t be a flash in the pan.

“We just have to work in the offseason, work back so we’re even better next year,” he said.